A soldier's performance must be at a high
level at all times and is partially contingent on hydration. To be
prepared, soldiers away from base camp need to be equipped with
hydration packs and supplies.
A standard hydration pack has a back pack or waist pack design with a reservoir, or bladder, inside. Made out of rubber or flexible plastic, the bladder holds 1.5 to 3 liters and has a capped mouth for filling with a liquid or attaching a hose. The hose feature allows a user to drink from the hydration pack hands free and is equipped with a bite valve, which opens when the user bites down; some models have the bite valve protected by a dust cover. The pack itself may be insulated to prevent the water inside the bladder from freezing or becoming warm.
Although used often for hiking, kayaking, and bicycling, hydration packs are used by soldiers stationed in hot, dry desert environments like the Middle East. Soldiers, however, may be away from base camp for several days at a time and may rely on raw water for hydration. Containing microorganisms, viruses, chemicals, and debris, raw water, from a river, stream, or rain, is not drinkable and, instead, must be filtered and purified first. A couple of approaches can be taken. On an individual level, a soldier can add a small filter into the hose of the hydration pack and also use a purifying solution to quickly kill any viruses or microorganisms in the water. On a larger scale, tactical gear like the Seldon WaterBox™ may be needed.
Combat in the Middle East over the past 20 years resulted in development of new tactical gear, including hydration systems. Prior to that point, hydration systems consisted almost exclusively of canteens, which were first introduced by the Infantry Equipment Board during World War I. These early canteens, called M1910, were made out of aluminum, and with an attached cup, each held one quart of water. During the next few decades, stainless steel replaced aluminum for the M1910, and a screw top and insulated cover were added.
The next generation hydration system, M1961, was introduced by the Vietnam War. An olive drab polyethylene plastic canteen, M1961 retained water better than metal models and kept it cooler in jungle environments. Not obsolete, polyethylene canteens are still used today as one option for hydration.
Dehydration hinders a soldier's performance, as well an athlete's. Without proper hydration, an individual can lose up to two percent of his body weight through sweating and is considered dehydrated when he loses two percent or more of his body weight. When dehydration occurs, an individual experiences a drop in blood volume, which results in the heart needing to work harder, muscle cramps, dizziness, fatigue, heat exhaustion, or a heat stroke. Because dehydration happens easily in dry, hot arid climates, soldiers stationed in Afghanistan, Iraq, or any area with similar conditions should be equipped with hydration packs and effective filtration devices.
A standard hydration pack has a back pack or waist pack design with a reservoir, or bladder, inside. Made out of rubber or flexible plastic, the bladder holds 1.5 to 3 liters and has a capped mouth for filling with a liquid or attaching a hose. The hose feature allows a user to drink from the hydration pack hands free and is equipped with a bite valve, which opens when the user bites down; some models have the bite valve protected by a dust cover. The pack itself may be insulated to prevent the water inside the bladder from freezing or becoming warm.
Although used often for hiking, kayaking, and bicycling, hydration packs are used by soldiers stationed in hot, dry desert environments like the Middle East. Soldiers, however, may be away from base camp for several days at a time and may rely on raw water for hydration. Containing microorganisms, viruses, chemicals, and debris, raw water, from a river, stream, or rain, is not drinkable and, instead, must be filtered and purified first. A couple of approaches can be taken. On an individual level, a soldier can add a small filter into the hose of the hydration pack and also use a purifying solution to quickly kill any viruses or microorganisms in the water. On a larger scale, tactical gear like the Seldon WaterBox™ may be needed.
Combat in the Middle East over the past 20 years resulted in development of new tactical gear, including hydration systems. Prior to that point, hydration systems consisted almost exclusively of canteens, which were first introduced by the Infantry Equipment Board during World War I. These early canteens, called M1910, were made out of aluminum, and with an attached cup, each held one quart of water. During the next few decades, stainless steel replaced aluminum for the M1910, and a screw top and insulated cover were added.
The next generation hydration system, M1961, was introduced by the Vietnam War. An olive drab polyethylene plastic canteen, M1961 retained water better than metal models and kept it cooler in jungle environments. Not obsolete, polyethylene canteens are still used today as one option for hydration.
Dehydration hinders a soldier's performance, as well an athlete's. Without proper hydration, an individual can lose up to two percent of his body weight through sweating and is considered dehydrated when he loses two percent or more of his body weight. When dehydration occurs, an individual experiences a drop in blood volume, which results in the heart needing to work harder, muscle cramps, dizziness, fatigue, heat exhaustion, or a heat stroke. Because dehydration happens easily in dry, hot arid climates, soldiers stationed in Afghanistan, Iraq, or any area with similar conditions should be equipped with hydration packs and effective filtration devices.
No comments:
Post a Comment